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Despite its reputation for complex rules, the basic principles are quite straightforward, making it easy for beginners to get involved.

Cricket is typically played on an oval-shaped field with two teams of 11 players, although teams can also be created with fewer players. At the center of the field/playing area is a 20-meter-long pitch with a wicket at each end. The bowler delivers the ball with a bounce towards the batter at the opposite wicket. Uniquely, the ball can be hit in any direction, even directly behind the batter. Similar to baseball, the team that scores the most runs wins the match.

Most cricket matches consist of a single inning per team, with each innings comprising a set number of overs— for example 40, 20, or 10 six-ball overs, depending on the format. However, in school or casual games, matches can be as short as 15 minutes. At the professional level, there are formats without over limits, where matches can last several days. The most popular format these days is the T20 which will also be played at the Olympics.

The batting team’s goal is to accumulate as many runs as possible before all overs are bowled or all batters are out, ending the innings. Runs are scored when batters switch ends between wickets, but the most rewarding is hitting the ball over the boundary on the full, earning six runs.

The fielding team’s objective is to dismiss batters through tactics like spin bowling and sharp fielding, while aiming to limit the number of runs conceded. A batter can be run out while attempting to switch ends and score a run. When the first team finishes batting, the second team aims to surpass their score. If they achieve this quickly or the fielding team dismisses all batters, the match concludes.